PROFILE

Vision

The ultimate goal of the JAMR is to provide the kind of dynamic leadership, advocacy and influence that will facilitate the full integration and inclusion of persons with Mental Retardation and other Developmental Disabilities in society.

Mission

The  Jamaican Association on Mental Retardation (JAMR) works through education, advocacy and research to improve the quality of life of children and adults with mental retardation and their families and works to prevent the causes and the effects of mental retardation

The Association provides the following services:

• Educational Assessment & Placement
• Development Assessment
• Early Intervention
• Special Education Intervention
• Transition Programmes
• Continuing Education
• Integrated and Vocational Programmes
• Integration Support-Guidance and support for:
• Mainstream Education
• Skills Training
• Employment Opportunities
• Social and Recreational Programmes
• Guidance & Counselling
• Social Services
• Professional Development

• Schools of Special Education
• Early Intervention Programme
• Adult Programme
• Resource Programme
• Parents and Professionals in Partnership (PPROP)
• Adult Continuing Education Programme
• Primary Intervention Programme (PIP)
• Social Services

While the Association has an impressive menu of programme interventions aimed at supporting the mission statement it is the area of special  education that has seen the greatest sustained success.  The Association has focused its energies on developing education opportunities for children with Mental Retardation between the ages 0-22yrs.  The JAPMR in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture, supports the Schools of Special Education which has a network of twenty-seven schools across the island.  The basic organizational structure of this body has at its head a Council of Management to whom the Executive Director Mrs. Grace Duncan reports.  It is an active governing body with Mr. John Thompson, Attorney-at law as the president.

Achievements

Major achievements of the organization include:

1. The expansion of the special education programme through the Schools of Special Education which operate from 27 locations island-wide.  In collaboration with the Ministry of Education Youth & Culture, the school was also decentralized with five main schools each with a cluster of satellite schools and principals.
2.  The establishment of a Pre vocational skills department within the school to include the development of agricultural, horticultural and ceramic skills among target group. 
3. The establishment of the Early Intervention Programme in Savanna La Mar which provides educational stimulation to children with disabilities between the ages 0-6 years in preparation for appropriate school placement
4. The establishment of the Primary Intervention Programme (PIP) an intervention programme that trains teachers in the regular schools to work with children at risk for academic failure.  This programme had to be suspended due to inadequate financing.
5. The development of a competency based Curriculum for Children with Mental Retardation
6. A strong parent support group known as Parents and Professionals in Partnership (PProP) which seeks to promote greater interaction and provide opportunities training to empower parents to  efficiently deal with the challenges of parenting a child with special needs.
7. The establishment of an Adult Continuing Education Programme, a vocational Programme for adults with servers Mental Retardation.
8. A Resource Programme aimed at providing remedial educational intervention to children in the regular schools for specific hours during the school day.